How to Avoid and Treat Behavior Problems

Dogs and people have lived together for thousands or years, but that doesn’t mean we always understand each other.  Living with pets can sometimes be as frustrating and confusing as living with people! The following program will help you make the most of your relationship with your dog.

Dogs are pack animals; they are social and like to interact with people and other dogs. You can use this behavior to your benefit; your dog will do what you want if it earns him praise or petting AND he considers you a leader in his pack. This is a key point. All dog packs have a leader dog that makes decisions for the rest of the group. Other dogs are subordinate to the leader. Your dog should never think he is the leader in your house. You are the one who should decide when to eat, when to go out, when to go to the veterinarian for a check up, or when to get a nail trim. As with children, dogs that have rules to follow and respect for their parents are well behaved. Many behavior problems arise as a direct result of lack of leadership on the part of their owners.

Dogs behave as though they prefer knowing that you are in charge, and often seem much happier when they understand that you have taken charge. Following the advice below may be harder on you than on your dog!  It’s lonely at the top, so give your dog a break and take over. He’ll love you just as much. Also keep in mind that dogs are very sensitive to body language and visual cues. Behaviors that you don’t think much about may have meaning to your dog, in a way that may not be what you intended to say! For instance, two people talking face to face is confrontational in a dog’s body language.  Standing side by side is not fair. You can learn to take advantage of nonverbal cues.

The following suggestions are an effective and humane way to let our dog know that he or she is safe, well loved and NOT the leader of the pack. Keep in mind that love is not related to social status, and that most dogs live in relaxed harmony when the social hierarchy is clear, no matter where they stand in it. These are not practices that you must follow every minute of the day. Who wants a dog if you can’t ever pet it just for fun? But it’s not good to cater to your dog. Your dog’s behavior should drive your decisions on how to treat him or her. If your dog has always been a perfect gentleman you may not need to change a thing you’re doing. But if your dog gives you problems, follow all these “social distance” suggestions.

If Spot just bit you, totally ignore him for 2 days to notify him there’s been a change in the household. Don’t speak to him or look at him, even while feeding or letting out. Then follow this program to the letter for at least 1 month before giving him/her any slack. If Ginger ignored a command at the park today, adopt these tips for a few days. Applying “social distance” when your dog is misbehaving, and rewarding with praise and attention only when he is good is the key to good behavior. Reward the behavior you want to continue to see!

How to Raise a Well Behaved Puppy:

Petting

1. Pet only for obedience (come, sit, down, stay, shake, etc.)          

2. Reward obeying commands with attention.

3. Keep petting brief (don’t indulge your dog).

4. If your dog demands petting, either; look away (fold arms, turn head up and away from the dog) or ask for a sit or down and then pet when he obeys.

5. If you want to pet your dog, call him to you, don’t go to him.

TEACH LIE DOWN AND STAY

A good, solid down and stay is one of your best learning tools.  It teaches your dog to be patient and to wait for your command.  You can practice while watching television. Start with 1 second stays for the first few days, and work up to longer and longer ones. After 3 weeks most dogs can handle a ½ hour down, stay during a quiet time of day.

WAIT AT THE DOOR

ALPHA (Pack leader) dogs have priority access to limited resources, which means they get to push out the door first to get  something they want. This is why a lot of dog fights occur at doorways over who gets to go out first.  Control the space in front of the dog and you control the dog’s body blocks, again to herd  him away from the door. Or head toward a door or doorway and  then suddenly turn and go the other way if your dog tries to get  ahead of you. This puts you back in the lead. Praise and pet your dog when he starts to turn around after you and keep moving until he reaches you. Practice this as you move around the house until your dog is content to stay behind you and follow your lead.

FOUR ON THE FLOOR

Dogs interpret an increase in height as an increase in status.  Dogs that sleep up on the bed are especially impressed with themselves.Keep dominant dogs on the floor, not up on chairs, couches or beds.  If you want to cuddle, get down on the floor; ask for obedience and then pet when your dog complies.

TEACH HEEL

Leaders are in the lead. Teach your dog to stay at your side while  you initiate a pace and direction.

This basic 6 part obedience program should make treating any other behavioral problems easier, if there are any.  A dog that looks to you for direction can be taught almost anything.  He will be happy to work for what he wants and it helps keep his mind occupied constructively.  Integrate this training into your day by asking your pet to perform some action whenever they want to go outside, get dinner, play ball, ect...  Letting you be in charge will soon become second nature to your dog.

Much progress has been made in the past few years in understanding how dogs think and learn. We are able to deal with problem behaviors much more effectively when we understand how a dog’s mind processes signals and information.  Most problem behaviors are NORMAL dog behaviors that are simply unacceptable to the humans they live with.  Redirecting and retraining can make our canine companions better and happier pets.

As always if you are having problems solving behavior problem with your pet at home and this doesn’t seem to work for you please let anyone of us know at the Animal Hospital of Chetek and we would be glad to help.

Again, have fun with your new Puppy